Former Philippine senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed a criminal complaint of graft and plunder against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte and senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday, rekindling legal scrutiny over Duterte’s term. This latest complaint follows an earlier investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into alleged crimes against humanity connected to Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign.
The lawsuit stems from allegations that construction contracts in Davao were improperly awarded to businesses owned by the father and a sibling of Senator Go, who served as Duterte’s closest aide and special assistant during his presidency. A 2018 report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) disclosed that CLTG Builders and Alfrego Builders and Supply—owned by Go’s immediate family members—secured the most lucrative and significant construction projects in the Davao region between 2007 and 2017. These projects totaled approximately P6.6 billion (USD $144 million).
According to the complaint, the Duterte administration unfairly favored Go’s relatives, enriching them at the expense of the Filipino public. Senator Go has dismissed these allegations, calling the accusations “often-recycled issues” and stressing that neither he nor his family benefited improperly from his position in government.
Government prosecutors plan to conduct an independent investigation to determine whether formal charges will be brought against Duterte and the other accused parties. If convicted of plunder—a serious crime in the Philippines—Duterte could face life imprisonment, and the government could seize any illicitly acquired assets or properties following a final conviction.
Duterte has yet to respond to these latest accusations, and the legal process may take months or even years to unfold. For further details, please refer to the original article.